Former Sen. Fred Thompson (Tenn.) has just ended his once highly anticipated presidential bid, three days after a disappointing third-place finish in the key South Carolina Republican primary. “Today I have withdrawn my candidacy for President of the United States. I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort. Jeri and I will always be grateful for the encouragement and friendship of so many wonderful people,” Thompson said in a brief statement released by his campaign. — David M. Drucker